Finish_pt1: The Way God Sees It
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Finish_pt1: The Way God Sees It
Finish_pt1: The Way God Sees It
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
[SETUP] We often don’t finish, because we can’t see the finish line.
What’s the point? What is the goal? What is success?
Philippians
And more ofter, we find ourselves in a place we didn’t expect.
And we think it’s the wrong place.
But we must be reminded...
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
[TAKE AWAY] - God sees things much differently.
What the enemy uses to kill you, He uses to strengthen, to bring good!
Where you’re at, isn’t necessarily off course! HE HAS A PLAN!
[STORY] - Admiral Jim Stockdale – highest ranking military officer in “Hanoi Hilton” (POW Camp in Vietnam War)
8 year imprisonment
Tortured over 20 times
Lived out the war without any prisoner rights, no release date.
Shouldered the burden of command, doing everything he could to create conditions that would increase the number of prisoners who would survive unbroken.
He instituted an elaborate communication system to reduce the sense of isolation – mopping: “We love you”
“Who didn’t make it out?”
“That’s easy, the optimist…”
[PAYOFF] – Often “by faith” we try to determine how God will deliver – That’s our will for His will.
This usually followed by disappointment and discouragement – asking “why???”
“I know the plans I have for you”… often these are our own plans, not God’s.
[PAYOFF] - There is a finish line! But we will miss it if we drop out of the race!
“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease.
This sounds like a great life, doesn’t it?
But the people were in exile!
Jere
Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord.
We will miss life, waiting for something else.
Jeremiah 29:
We will fall out of the race, looking for another way.
FINISH!
The way God sees it
The way God sees it
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
His timing and our timing are ofter not the same!
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
God has a perfect plan.
God has a perfect plan.
Many are the plans in a person’s heart,
but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.
God has an appointed time.
God has an appointed time.
There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:
Ecclesiasties 3:1
God is always faithful.
God is always faithful.
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
Numbers 23:
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
1 Thessalonians
[SO] You can run your race, because you know God’s got this!
[BUT] Many will quit because of the burden they bear...
[BUT] We aren’t meant to bear the burden (cast your burdens)
[PAYOFF] - We are mean to BEAR FRUIT!
HE WANTS TO EQUIP YOU FOR THE RACE!
Bearing fruit
Bearing fruit
Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Finishing requires patience
[STORY] - Running track, you have to know when to kick and when to lay back.
[TRANSITION] - Let’s talk about bearing fruit...
1. Remain in the vine!
1. Remain in the vine!
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Don’t give up. Don’t run the other way. Don’t seek somewhere else! REMAIN!
2. Wait on the Lord!
2. Wait on the Lord!
But those who wait on the Lord
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.
Follow His lead! Step where he tells you and you will always step right!
Isaiah 40:31
3. Hear the Word!
3. Hear the Word!
Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”
When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.”
But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
[PAYOFF] - Truly HEAR the Word!
Don’t simply hear and move on. APPLY IT!
James says you are just deceiving yourself!
Take Away
Take Away
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
It’s the journey that counts!
It’s the journey that counts!